Aanderud's 3 Hits Help Lead Liberty Past William & Mary, 6-2

Bryan Aanderud had three hits for the second straight game and drove in three runs.

Second baseman Bryan Aanderud drove in three runs with three hits, helping lead the Liberty Flames past the Tribe of William & Mary, 6-2, Tuesday night at Plumeri Park.

Aanderud records his second consecutive three-hit game and his third of the year. It was also the seventh multi-hit contest for the senior second baseman, whose three RBIS were a season high.

With back-to-back wins, Liberty moves to 11-5 on the season. The Flames' victory avenges Liberty's 5-3 loss to William & Mary a week ago. The Tribe falls to 10-6 on the year.

Liberty jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the top of third inning. Shortstop Dalton Britt was hit-by-pitch and moved to second on a single off Tribe pitcher Matt Wainman by third baseman Dalton Sype. Left fielder Nick Lacik followed with a bunt single to load the bases. Three batters later, catcher Trey Wimmer lined a double down the left field line, plating two runs to give the Flames an edge.

William & Mary countered with a run in the bottom of the frame. With one out, second baseman Ryan Lindemuth reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second base on a two-out single by designated hitter Michael Katz. Lindemuth then scored on a single by left fielder William Shaw to make it, 2-1.

In the fourth inning, Liberty extended its lead with two more runs, benefitting from a Tribe error. With one out, first baseman Alex Close ripped a double into the right center field gap. Two batters later, Sype reached on a two-out fielding error by William & Mary third baseman Brian Lee. After Lacik walked to load the bases, Aanderud lined a single down the right field line, cashing in Close and Sype and giving the Flames a 4-1 advantage.

After Liberty had Close thrown out at the plate trying to score in the top of the sixth, the host Tribe sliced into the Flames' advantage with a run. Katz began the home half of the inning with a single and advanced to second on a fielding error by Paxton. After Katz moved to third on a ground out by Shaw, shortstop Ryan Williams singled through the left side of the infield to score him, halving the Liberty edge to 4-2.

The Flames added to their lead in the seventh. Lacik led off the inning with a bunt single. After the first two outs of the frame were recorded, Wimmer dropped a single into right center field, moving Lacik to third. The next batter, designated hitter Justin Sizemore walked, loading the bases. A wild pitch then allowed Lacik to tally a run for a 5-2 advantage.

In the bottom of the frame, William & Mary loaded the bases with two outs, but reliever Josh Richardson struck out Shaw to end the threat.

In the eighth, Liberty pushed across an insurance run. Britt walked with one out and moved to second on a two-out walk to Lacik. Aanderud followed with a run-scoring single, upping the Flames' lead to 6-2.

Blake Fulghum, making his first start in a Flames uniform, moves to 1-0 on the year. The left-hander gave up two runs, one unearned, on 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. Richardson pitched 2 1/3 innings to earn his second save of the year. He scattered four hits and struck out two batters.

William & Mary starter Mat Wainman falls to 1-2 on the season. The left-hander allowed five runs, three earned, over seven innings. He struck out eight batters and walked one.

William & Mary had 14 hits, while Liberty collected 10. Close, Lacik and Wimmer each had two hits for the Flames.

Tomorrow, Liberty travels to tomorrow to Charlottesville, Va., for a contest against the No. 13 Virginia Cavaliers. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.